MARSHAL FENG

Evening Star, Issue 23273, 23 May 1939, Page 12

MARSHAL FENG

CHINESE GENERAL, STAUNCH CHRISTIAN First-hand news of the Chinese Christian general Marshal Feng is contained in an article by Mr 13. A. Sadler, in ‘ China’s Millions,’ published by the China Inland Mission. “ Marshal Feng arrived at Wanhsicn on Christmas Eve, but because of his many military duties we thought there was little chance of - our catching a glimpse of this famous man,” says Mr Sadler. “ That evening a little group from our church went out to the streets to sing carols at the homes of some of our leading Christians. In the early hours of Christmas Morning they reached the vicinity where the marshal was staying, and the leader of the choir had a happy thought; ‘ Why not sing some carols outside the marshal’s house?’ The military guards allowed them inside the grounds, and they sang a few carols. Imagine their surprise and joy when they were informed that the marshal had risen from his bed and would meet them in the guest room. He greeted them most kindly, and after inquiring which church they came from prayed with them himself and promised to attend church that day. “ He came round in the middle of the morning service to explain that military duties prevented his staying for the service However, in the afternoon a group of church leaders went to visit him. He received us most graciously. Several of the Chinese pastors present were old friends of his, having known him in happier days before the war. Among them was the Rev. Marcus Cheng, one of China’s leading evangelists, who at one time was chaplaingeneral in Feng’s army. The marshal chatted of old times, asked about our work, and finally gave each of us a little memento or the visit. It was both interesting and encouraging to find him describe himself as a ‘ fellow believer.’ Before we parted wc invited him to preach in our church the next day, and to this he agreed. “ Next day there were groat preparations made on our compound for the crowds that we knew would come, for the marshal is universally admired A squad of special military police guarded the dors of our premises, and every one entering was scrutinised. The church was packed and the congregation overflowed into the courtyard. NEED FOR CHRISTIAN TRUTH. “ The marshal spoke for about half an hour, and the people simply hung on his words. He stressed the need for Christian truth in the heart if the individual and the nation were to be saved. This truth was to be found in the Bible, which he urged all his hearers to read and to follow the example of Genera] Chiang Kai-shek, who, he said, read his Bible every dav. The marshal used many illustrations to make bis point dear. He mentioned several missionaries whose work is well known, and pointed out that the secret of their usefulness and influence lay in the reality of their Christian experience. One illustration is worth repeating, for it was obvious that the incident had made a rreat impression on him.

“ A relative of the marshal was taken ill some time ago, and Dr Logan, a missionary doctor, attended him. Durng a mental lapse the patent shot at Dr Logan and killed him. It seemed nothing but a tragedy. But Mrs Logan, a trained nurse, took charge of the patient who had killed her husband and nursed him back to health. The son of the Logans was in America working his way through college. When Marshal Feng heard this he decided to help the boy with his education, and sent several thousand dollars for the purpose. The family, however, thought it better for the son to gain his education by his own efforts, and, while thanking the general most heartily for his kind thought, returned the money to him. Marshal Feng was profoundly affected, and regards the incident as an outstanding example of the power of Christianity. “ After the meeting the marshal stayed for supper. The group included 12 pastors of churches, and we were a very happy party. Our distinguished gimst sat at the head of the table and looked like a benign old father sitting with his family. He loves to meet little groups of Christians in such a way. Several leading questions were put to him: He was asked where General Kai-shek stood in relation to Christ. He replied that the general’s faith was strong, and that every year he was making progess. He added that the general was spiritually alive, meaning that he was not merely a nominal Christian. The marshal mentioned that several leading men in the Government were feeling out after Christ and were reading the Bible. He himself when he is at home has a Chinese pastor to visit him every morning for Bible study and prayer. Yon can imagine how thrilled we were to hear these things and to see this famous man himself sitting in our midst and humbly confessing his faith in Christ. We felt there is great hope for China while such men are at the head of affairs. “ A few days later the marshal left W anhsien, and a little group from the churches went down to the jetty to see him off and to present him with a leather-bound copy of the New Testament. As he received it he said: ‘ This is the most precious thing there is,’ ”